We got great news the other day! Lizzy's test results from her recent visit came back negative for the Pseudomonas bacteria! She has been on inhaled antibiotics to prevent the bacteria from colonizing in her lungs for 9 months now. If she gets one more negative culture for it at her visit in November, she can stop the antibiotics! While you and I might test positive for Pseudomonas and it would be no problem for our bodies to fight it off, people with CF have so much mucus in their lungs that the bacteria can settle in, causing permanent lung damage and is very difficult to treat. Keep your fingers crossed for Lizzy and maybe, if you are able, make a donation to keep the research moving forward to better treat these serious infection. Also, Thank you Let's Roam for your generous donation of scavenger hunt tickets to support our organization! https://www.letsroam.com/scavenger_hunt/Loop_Chicago_Scavenger_Hunt
Welcome to Katie Summy's Page Let's Do This for Team Lizzy!
Katie Summy
Katie Summy
Help Us Support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — For Lizzy and So Many Others
I’m participating in a 10-week fundraising challenge to support the incredible work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. While I’m definitely bringing my competitive spirit to the table, my motivation goes far beyond that. This cause is deeply personal—my 9-year-old niece, Lizzy, lives with cystic fibrosis (CF), and she inspires me every day.
Meet Lizzy:
She’s a bold, fashion-forward, gymnastics-loving, sassy 9-year-old who would never dream of eating a bag of M&Ms before sharing some with everyone in the room. She also has CF, a progressive genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Before Lizzy's diagnosis, I had heard of CF but not really known much about it. Now, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating—and how manageable—it can be thanks to the work of the CF Foundation.
CF causes a salt imbalance in the body’s cells, leading to thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and interferes with digestion. It creates a breeding ground for infections in the lungs which are often antibiotic-resistant. But Lizzy is one of the lucky ones. She was among the first children to receive groundbreaking medications that target the root cause of CF, starting treatment at just 1 year old. These miraculous new medications give us real hope for her future.
What does Lizzy’s life look like today?
Thanks to these treatments, Lizzy hasn’t been hospitalized since she started them. She keeps up with her twin brother—who doesn’t have CF—in both size and energy. But maintaining this normalcy takes constant effort. Every day, Lizzy wears a vibrating vest twice to help loosen mucus in her lungs, while taking nebulized medications. These 30-minute sessions (which she wisely pairs with screen time!) are her daily routine when she’s healthy.
When she’s not feeling well, she may need 1–2 extra treatments daily. She also visits her care team quarterly to monitor lung function and stop infections before they start. It’s a lot for any kid to handle, but Lizzy powers through every test and treatment—especially if there’s a milkshake waiting at the end!
Why This Matters:
The CF Foundation is the driving force behind the medications that have transformed Lizzy’s life. Their work is literally changing the future for thousands of kids like her. But they can’t do it alone.
I’m asking for your support to help fuel continued research and one day make CF
Help CF Stand for Cure Found. Please help me meet my fundraising goal by making a donation. By supporting my fundraising efforts, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.
To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Thank you for your support and generosity. It means so much to me, Lizzy and our family.
I’m participating in a 10-week fundraising challenge to support the incredible work of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. While I’m definitely bringing my competitive spirit to the table, my motivation goes far beyond that. This cause is deeply personal—my 9-year-old niece, Lizzy, lives with cystic fibrosis (CF), and she inspires me every day.
Meet Lizzy:
She’s a bold, fashion-forward, gymnastics-loving, sassy 9-year-old who would never dream of eating a bag of M&Ms before sharing some with everyone in the room. She also has CF, a progressive genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Before Lizzy's diagnosis, I had heard of CF but not really known much about it. Now, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating—and how manageable—it can be thanks to the work of the CF Foundation.
CF causes a salt imbalance in the body’s cells, leading to thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and interferes with digestion. It creates a breeding ground for infections in the lungs which are often antibiotic-resistant. But Lizzy is one of the lucky ones. She was among the first children to receive groundbreaking medications that target the root cause of CF, starting treatment at just 1 year old. These miraculous new medications give us real hope for her future.
What does Lizzy’s life look like today?
Thanks to these treatments, Lizzy hasn’t been hospitalized since she started them. She keeps up with her twin brother—who doesn’t have CF—in both size and energy. But maintaining this normalcy takes constant effort. Every day, Lizzy wears a vibrating vest twice to help loosen mucus in her lungs, while taking nebulized medications. These 30-minute sessions (which she wisely pairs with screen time!) are her daily routine when she’s healthy.
When she’s not feeling well, she may need 1–2 extra treatments daily. She also visits her care team quarterly to monitor lung function and stop infections before they start. It’s a lot for any kid to handle, but Lizzy powers through every test and treatment—especially if there’s a milkshake waiting at the end!
Why This Matters:
The CF Foundation is the driving force behind the medications that have transformed Lizzy’s life. Their work is literally changing the future for thousands of kids like her. But they can’t do it alone.
I’m asking for your support to help fuel continued research and one day make CF
Help CF Stand for Cure Found. Please help me meet my fundraising goal by making a donation. By supporting my fundraising efforts, you have an opportunity in your lifetime to be part of ending this disease. Please consider joining us and help make medical history.
To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Thank you for your support and generosity. It means so much to me, Lizzy and our family.
AUG
16
16
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